Q2’s Jay Kohn honored in Congressional Record

The Montana Republican entered a statement into the Congressional Record honoring Kohn, who entered into semi-retirement Dec. 28 after 20 years as a Q2 anchor and four decades in Montana broadcast journalism.

“For his outstanding professionalism, unwavering journalistic integrity, and his decades of trusted service to the people of Montana, I recognize Jay Kohn for his spirit of Montana,” Gianforte said.

Kohn is remaining at Q2 part-time, working on special projects and appearing on air as a fill-in anchor. He was replaced by Russ Riesinger, a Billings native and veteran broadcaster.

Here’s the entire statement in the Congressional Record:

RECOGNIZING JAY KOHN OF BILLINGS

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jay Kohn of Billings for serving as a reliable source for Montanans as a journalist and anchor for nearly four decades.

Kohn recently signed off the air after more than 20 years as a news anchor with KTVQ in Billings and the Montana Television Network (MTN).

Kohn began his broadcast career in Helena in 1978 and worked as MTN’s Capitol Bureau chief and news director in Butte.

In 1998, Kohn assumed the anchor seat at KTVQ in Billings, the city where he was born and raised. Over the last two decades he has been the face of Q2 news, anchoring the 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. He has covered countless news events, keeping the community informed about local stories and others that span the globe.

Kohn’s exceptional reporting earned him the Montana Broadcasters Association’s Broadcaster of the Year award in 2005.

Though Kohn has retired from his full-time role at the anchor desk, Montanans will continue to enjoy his steady presence in his new role as Anchor Emeritus for KTVQ.

Mr. Speaker, for his outstanding professionalism, unwavering journalistic integrity, and his decades of trusted service to the people of Montana, I recognize Jay Kohn for his spirit of Montana.